Summer conditioning kicks off
By Melinda L. Lucas
With the 2024-25 school year wrapped up, Albany Junior/Senior High athletes are already turning their attention to the upcoming athletic seasons as summer conditioning begins.
Summer workouts will once again be a key part of off-season development, with coaches encouraging all incoming 7th through 12th grade athletes to participate if they’re in town.
“We expect all our athletes to be involved if they’re in town or don’t have a job,” longtime football coach Denney Faith said. “If they have things going on, we understand. But if they don’t have something going on, we expect them to be part of the program.”
Girls Hit the Ground Running
The girls’ summer conditioning program begins Monday, June 2, under the direction of girls coaches Lauren Peacock, M.J. Reneau, and Ashlyn Bevel. Conditioning sessions will run Monday through Thursday through June 26, break for the first week of July, then resume July 7-17. Coaches will attend a clinic the following week, and the final session of the summer will be July 28-31.
Workouts will begin at 8:00 a.m. with strength and conditioning in the weight room. Sport-specific sessions follow from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. – basketball on Mondays and Tuesdays, and volleyball on Wednesdays and Thursdays through June 24.
“There’s a lot going on in the summer for these girls, and we’re proud of how involved they are,” Peacock said. “We told them during the last week of school that their season starts now – not in August. The work they do this summer will show up when games start.”
Local basketball and volleyball teams are involved in summer league play in the AYSA league during June.
Volleyball will also hold additional sport-specific sessions on July 7, 8, 14, 29, and 30, with an evening practice scheduled for July 17.
“We’re excited about the momentum we’ve got going,” Reneau said. “The AYSA league and summer practices give the girls a great opportunity to build chemistry and polish some skills before the season hits.”
All the coaches emphasized the importance of staying active during the summer, even with busy schedules.
“There’s no substitute for time together in the gym or on the court,” Bevel said. “These girls are competing and conditioning all summer, and that’s a great thing for our programs.”
Boys Begin June 7
The boys’ conditioning program will begin Monday, June 9, also running Monday through Thursday each week. Workouts will start each morning from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. and include weight training and agility work.
Afternoon, sport-specific sessions will be held from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., with dates to be announced later.
“We want our guys to be ready physically, and this summer work is how we build that foundation,” Faith said. “They’ll get out what they put in, and our staff is ready to help them put in the work.”
For more information about Albany’s summer conditioning schedule contact one of the local coaches.
